Free Republic

A new conservative talk radio show, The Conservative Underground Radio Show, can be listened to at Electric Talk Radio at http://curadio.reaganites.org There will be a new show every Saturday night at 10 PM. It currently has about 4,000 listeners per week and is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ohio, a traditional bellwether state, will take center stage once again to gauge how the two major parties will fare in 2010, a year Republicans are hoping to make gains in statehouses and congressional seats across the country. Republicans are looking to defeat Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland with the help of former congressman and Fox News host John Kasich, and win an edge in congressional redistricting in the process. The Republicans are also playing defense in the state, however, hoping to hold onto the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. George Voinovich — a moderate Republican representing a state that...

Ohio state Sen. Bob Gibbs is in the 2010 race to unseat Democratic Rep. Zack Space. Gibbs, a Republican, recently filed a statement of candidacy and a statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission to initiate a campaign in Ohio's 18th, a mostly rural and culturally conservative area of east-central and south-central Ohio that includes Zanesville and Chillicothe. Gibbs also has set up a rudimentary campaign Web site. Gibbs was elected to the Ohio House in 2002 and served three two-year terms, then was elected to the Ohio Senate in 2008 with 59 percent of the vote in a...

Obama's down 13 points in approval survey in Ohio so he has sent Biden packing to Ohio to rally the faithful. "Everything is out of...uh, I mean under control!" Read the full text at http://www.edistojoe.com

Several local Republican lawmakers are considering running against Rep. Zack Space (D) next year, although none is ready to toss his hat into the ring yet.

clevelandteaparty.webs.com

While most establishment Republicans are rallying around the idea of a Rob Portman candidacy to replace the retiring Senator Voinovich, some Ohio conservatives are quietly clamoring for an attractive conservative outside-the-box candidate to emerge. That candidate may just be Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor. Like Sarah Palin, Taylor is thought of as both a conservative, and as a maverick who stood-up to the Republican "good old boys" machine in Ohio. A CPA by trade, she has also proven she can win in a difficult environment. In fact, she was the only Ohio Republican to win statewide in 2006. Taylor was even...

ACORN has been in the news for their creative get out the vote efforts. From Mickey Mouse to the entire Dallas Cowboys offense, they've managed to get some dude registered (73 times at last count)for nothing more than some smokes. So how do supposedly sober Democrats greet this affront to this most cherished of American rights? With scorn and half-truths of course: From the New York Post we get openers like this one: an Ohio man registered to vote several times and cast a bogus ballot with a fake address... One Ohio man is a conduit to voter fraud, something...

Republican presidential candidates John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, will hold a large rally Wednesday afternoon in the Cleveland area. The location has not been set. Expect McCain and Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama to be slugging it out in campaign visits in Ohio during the last three and half weeks before the Nov. 4 election.

The video features red title cards and the theme music from the movie, "The Untouchables." It accuses state Sen. John Boccieri (D-Alliance) of using "Youngstown tactics" in his campaign against state Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Jackson Township) in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Navarre) in Ohio's 16th Congressional District.

The Weekly Standard’s Brian Faughnan notes here that things are looking good for McCain in the battleground state of Ohio at this stage in the race for the presidency. Ohio, as we all know, is a must-win state for whoever will go on to win the presidency. Daily Kos blogger and failed candidate for US Senate (as well as the US House) Paul Hackett (D-AntiWaristan) has noticed this as well and, after blaming poll numbers partly on racism, has what he feels is a “solution” that would “help” Barack Obama win the state of Ohio in November. Check this out...

We are doing all we can to enlighten the left wing in America. We get hundreds of E-mails a day saying how www.StopObamaExpress.com has open the eyes of Obama supporters, by listen to Obama in his own words at www.StopObamaExpress.com . If we all work together we can save our great nation from the liberals. ALL ABOARD! The Stop Obama Express. A great site for Anti-Obama Fun, videos, pictures, quotes and more. Check it out at www.StopObamaExpress.com

We've been saying for some time that all of the national polls in the presidential contest may be one thing, but the real battle for the White House will play out in several "battleground'' states where Barack Obama and John McCain each hope to build their victory in the electoral vote-count. Like Ohio - a place where victory generally has meant election as president for some time now. Twenty electoral votes in play. And the word today from one of the nation's most respected state polls - the Ohio Poll conducted by the University of Cincinnati - shows a narrow...

Readers may recall that I'm a bit down on the prospect of John McCain finding a running mate who will do him more good than harm. However, one person who might fit this description is John Kasich. He was a popular nine-term Congressman from Ohio, a state Republicans desperately need to carry. And he's originally from western Pennsylvania, another key area. Kasich seems to possess a blue collar appeal that his party desperately needs. To be sure, he was never a Senator or a Governor, but he held a leadership position in the House, serving as Chairman of the Budget...

Day three of the Clark controversy, and things keep getting more and more interesting. Today, Barack Obama is apparently denying that his own speech yesterday in Ohio -- where we all assumed he was specifically repudiating Clark's comments -- was, in fact, aimed at Gen. Clark. Here is what Obama had to say today: "... I notice that I think in at least one publication it was reported that my comments yesterday about Senator McCain were in a response to General Clark. I think my staff will confirm that was in a draft of that speech that I had written...

So much for the 50 State Strategy, announced just last week. The Obama campaign admits neither FL and OH "was hospitable to Obama this year." Even three states Kerry won (PA, MI, NH) "look competitive" for McCain. Obama will try to pick off VA, NM, and others to make up the difference. Is Obama the underdog in this Year of the Democrat?

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain delivered the following remarks as prepared for delivery at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, in Columbus, OH, today at 10:00 a.m. EDT: Thank you. The hectic but repetitive routine of presidential campaigns often seems to consist entirely of back and forth charges between candidates, punctuated by photo ops, debates and the occasional policy speech, followed by another barrage of accusations and counter accusations, formulated into the soundbites preferred by cable news producers. It is a little hypocritical for candidates or reporters to criticize these deficiencies. They are our creation. Campaigns and the media...

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann admitted that he had an affair with a subordinate on Friday at a press conference held in response to an internal investigation of sexual harrassment claims against Director of General Services Anthony Gutierrez. Results of the internal investigation were released on approximately 9:30am Friday morning.

One meme that has emerged in recent days is the idea that Hillary Clinton’s remaining in the race, and especially her negative attacks on Barack Obama, will seriously damage the Democratic Party and make Obama damaged goods in the fall. John Aravosis is one of the more passionate advocates of this position. Well, come Wednesday, if Hillary doesn’t win 65% of the delegates in Ohio and Texas, and still insists on staying in the race and ripping our party in two, it will be time to start treating candidate Clinton with the same golden rule she is using for candidate...

After reading this question that was posed to Fred Thompson and his answer, I can't help but think it's a shame that he's not doing better in the campaign (h/t Instapundit): AKD: What will you do for the farmers of Bremer County? FT: (laughs) AKD: You knew this was coming, right? FT: I would continue to enjoy the fruits of their labor. I’ve been looking all over Iowa for a bad steak and I can’t find it. Been trying my best. It’s not a matter of what I would do for the farmers. Farmers are not looking for a president...

Many active duty military are praising Fred Thompson, as the conservative leader they want as the next Commander in Chief. Typical of these comments is this one from a soldier in Ohio: "As a soldier, I know there is some pressure to not get involved in anything political, but as a current member of the finest Army to have ever existed, and a Combat Veteran of the crucial Iraq campaign, I feel it is my duty as a patriotic American to see a good conservative succeed our current commander and chief. Every Soldier wants a leader that they can proudly...

State Rep. Bob Latta narrowly defeated a like-minded conservative rival yesterday following a rancorous campaign to represent the GOP in the heavily Republican congressional district vacated by the late Paul Gillmor. Latta, receiving more than 32,000 votes, or roughly 44 percent, defeated State Sen. Steve Buehrer, who received just under 29,400 votes, or 40 percent, according to unofficial returns with 100 percent of precincts reporting. Latta will now face Democrat Robin Weirauch, who cruised to victory in the Democratic primary, in the Dec. 11 general election. In the 2006 election, Weirauch received the most votes in her party's history in...

The Ohio Elections Commission unanimously slapped congressional candidate Bob Latta with a reprimand after ruling today that his congressional campaign knowingly or recklessly lied about opponent Steve Buehrer’s positions in political flyers. Even the Latta campaign’s attorney, Scott Pullins, admitted statements that Mr. Buehrer “opposed’’ prayer in public schools and “didn’t want’’ the Ten Commandments posted were “misleading,’’ a “cheap shot,’’ and a “political low blow.’’ But he argued unsuccessfully that the false statements did not rise to the level of a violation of Ohio election law. Mr. Latta and Mr. Buehrer are campaigning for the GOP nomination for the...

Stivers jumps into Columbus congressional race Posted by Sabrina Eaton November 05, 2007 15:59PM GOP State Senator Steve Stivers of Columbus today announced that he'll seek the congressional seat that will be vacated by the retirement of GOP Rep. Deborah Pryce of Upper Arlington. In a press release that announced his candidacy, Stivers criticized the partisanship and bickering in Washington, as well as a new tax plan floated by Democrats that Stivers called a "$3.5 trillion tax increase." Stivers and his fiance, Karen Tabor, are scheduled to be married later this month. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ohio...

This is a special election to replace the deceased Republican U.S. Representative Paul Gilmore. Whoever wins the Republican nomination on November 7 will be heavily favored to win the general special election on December 11. So let's send a "True Republican. True Conservative." HEY! That just happens to be State Sen. Steve Buehrer's campaign slogan! What a coincidence. According to the Club for Growth's profile in their endorsement of Sen. Buehrer, he fought against the now disgraced former Governor Bob Taft's runaway taxing and spending before it was cool. He did was what right, even though he knew it would...

The Ohio Republican Party announced today the results of its 2007 Presidential Straw Poll, declaring former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson the winner with 33 percent of the vote. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani took second with 24 percent, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney placed third with 17 percent of the ballots cast. A Fred vs. Hillary matchup would be an interesting repolarization of Ohio, as one would expect that the southern-oriented south and southwest Ohio would be quite friendly to Fred. I would think that Northeast Ohio would remain friendly to Hillary, leaving a big fight over...

The Hannah Report is covering news that the Ohio Republican Party released the results of its recent straw poll for the 2008 presidential primary showing the pro-gun former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson leading the anti-gun former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. In the poll, Thompson received 33 percent, Giuliani received 24 percent, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney received 17 percent, U.S. Sen. John McCain received 11 percent, former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee seven percent, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback four percent, followed by Duncan Hunter with two percent, Ron Paul one percent, and Tom Tancredo one percent. Nearly 2,300 Republicans...

Karen Gillmor (R), widow of Cong. Paul Gillmor (R), has decided to forego a run for her late husband’s seat, according to normally reliable Republican sources. State Rep. Bob Latta (R) is now likely to get in the race. Latta served in the state senate (1997-2000) and ran for the 5th District back in 1988, but lost to Paul Gillmor in the primary by 27 votes. Latta was running for the open seat vacated by his father, Delbert Latta (R), who served in Congress for three decades beginning in 1958. (Congressman Latta served briefly on the House Judiciary Committee during...

Ashland County Commissioner Matt Miller will seek the Republican nomination for the 16th congressional seat now held by longtime incumbent Ralph Regula, R-Bethlehem Township. Miller garnered about 42 percent of the votes in the race against Regula in the 2006 Republican primary. The district covers Stark, Wayne, Medina and Ashland counties. "Our people recognize that it is going to take fresh leaders who are not part of the establishment to turn our nation and our region in the right direction," Miller said in a statement. Miller is president of the Northeast Ohio District of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio....

Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell has joined Ohio's Buckeye Institute. Here is their full press release: For Immediate Release Thursday, February 15, 2007 Contact: David Hansen Office: (614) 224-4422 Cell: (614) 783-0309 BLACKWELL JOINS BUCKEYE INSTITUTE AS DISTINGUISHED FELLOW COLUMBUS – The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions today announced former secretary of state, state treasurer and 2006 Republican gubernatorial nominee Ken Blackwell has joined the organization as a Ronald Reagan Distinguished Fellow. Blackwell will focus on state issues with national significance such as taxes, energy, education and health care reform. Also, he will lead the institute’s effort...

A former chief of staff to Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, pleaded guilty Monday in the Jack Abramoff scandal, admitting he participated in a conspiracy to corrupt Ney, his staff, and other members of Congress with trips, free tickets, and meals. Neil Volz, 35, admitted that he engaged in the conspiracy for more than four years, both while he was Ney's chief of staff and after he left to go work with Abramoff.

Just 16% said the Cincinnati Republican is doing a good job as Ohio’s chief executive, while 83% said he is doing a poor job leading one of the most important political states in the nation. The poor approval ratings span the political spectrum - 93% of Democrats, 86% of independents, and 82% of Republicans give him poor marks for his work. A Zogby Interactive survey in mid-November put his job approval rating at just 6%. He has virtually no significant base of support anywhere in the state, the poll shows.

Lorain Mayor Craig Foltin said Tuesday night that he is a candidate for Congress. The 38-year-old second-term Republican mayor said local and national GOP officials had encouraged him to run. As the mayor of working-class Lorain, where Democrats outnumber Republican voters, Foltin is seen as perhaps the best Republican bet to win in the Democratic-leaning 13th Congressional District.

Eric Fingerhut is canceling his quixotic bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination against the anointed candidate, Ted Strickland. Also, Paul Hackett (D-Barking Moonbatville) cancelled his appearance on Hardboiled with Chris Matthews, fueling speculation that he will drop his primary challenge to Sherrod "Stalin" Brown and instead take another crack at the congressional seat now held by Jean Schmidt. This sets up a Brown v. DeWine race in the fall. DeWine is probably grateful because if Hackett had been his opponent, Hackett may have gotten NRA support. Look for the NRA to stay neutral on this one. Source for the (drop...

Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about our campaign and my optimistic vision for America! I am running for Congress to stand up and fight for for the families and taxpayers of Ohio. As a state legislator, I learned that to make a difference on the issues that matter most, it is not only important "be" conservative. You must also be willing to take a stand and fight for your beliefs when others stand in the way.

Sherrod Brown aiming for Senate House Democrat hopes to challenge DeWine after facing Paul Hackett in primary By William Hershey Dayton Daily News COLUMBUS | Fifteen years after a defeat that contributed to the Republican takeover of state government, Democrat Sherrod Brown is ready to make another try for statewide elective office. U.S. Rep. Brown, D-Avon Lake, today released plans to officially kick off his race for the Democratic nomination to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Mike DeWine. "I've been fighting clearly on the right side of issues ... on bringing down the cost of prescription...

Current Delegate Chris Wakim, R-Ohio, made it public Saturday night that he is a candidate for Congress. Those attending an Ohio County Republican Party steak fry at the Civics Club in Elm Grove were greeted by "Wakim for Congress" signs, and flyers were passed out promoting an upcoming Wakim campaign event.

“Jim pours his heart and soul into every endeavor of his life,” said Blackwell. “That fact is obvious in all he has achieved, from his days as a two-time NCAA champion wrestler, his recent service in the Ohio House and Senate and his life-time of love and affection for his wife and children. “He is a man of honesty and integrity, with a strong record of public service to the families and communities of north central Ohio.

"As a member of the state legislature, I have led the fight on the issues that matter most to families, like cutting taxes and defending our traditional conservative values," Jordan said in a statement released Thursday by his campaign. "I am running for Congress with renewed energy to make a difference on these important issues."

One more analysis on the Ohio Ballot provisions, which will affect you all: EXCERPT "Outcome-based education (OBE) is an educational philosophy that states that education ought to be aimed at producing particular educational outcomes" (Wikipedia Encyclopedia). The amendment language is an example of Outcome-based elections, which is an electoral philosophy that states that elections ought to be aimed at producing a particular electoral outcome. If you subject yourself to the full language of the amendment, you will find that this is a proposal that will require [b]by law[/b] for elections to be close. Outcome-based education has apparently produced its first...

State Senator Jim Jordan (R) is mentioned as a possible successor, but he's also a potential running mate to gubenatorial candidate Ken Blackwell.

After Taft Can Ohio Republicans recover? By W. James Antle III Last week’s conviction of Gov. Bob Taft on four misdemeanor ethics charges has put another dent in the Ohio Republican party’s image of invincibility — and cast a long shadow over the party’s 2006 candidates. Over the last decade, the GOP has consolidated power by racking up win after win in the Buckeye State. Republicans today hold every statewide constitutional elected office (including uninterrupted control of the governorship since 1991), both U.S. Senate seats, and majorities in both houses of the state legislature, the state supreme court, and Ohio’s...

Divisive issue becoming a uniter? Blackwell tax measure seems to be taking on a whole new role By Martin Gottlieb Dayton Daily News Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's anti-tax ballot initiative has been transformed before our eyes, without changing. When he first put it forth, he was engaged in an effort to distinguish himself from other Republican politicians. Planning a run for governor in 2006, he was confronting the then-growing belief that being a Republican might not be a great advantage in that year. After all, Republicans would have been in power for about as long as one party ever...

You guys should check this group out. I met one of their members out in Ohio working with a congressional candidate. They knew what they were doing and I was impressed but i didn't realize that Alex had his own team until yesterday. I looked at their website its got some really solid ideas in terms of strategy. Check it out: http://www.vandenberg-strategies.com

Current State Sen. Andy McKenzie, R-Ohio, could be gearing up for a potential run against incumbent U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va, in 2006. McKenzie responded "no comment" this week when asked if it were true he was planning a future Congressional campaign. He didn't deny that he might be seeking the office

Hackett on attack in race He sets sights on Schmidt By Barry M. Horstman Post staff reporter When a Democratic Congressional Unity Breakfast can be handled quite easily at a table for three at a downtown Cincinnati restaurant, Paul Hackett needs look no further for evidence of just how uphill his campaign in the 2nd Congressional District will be this summer. Looking for something, anything to draw attention to the special Aug. 2 general election to replace former Rep. Rob Portman, Hackett met Thursday morning with two of the five candidates he defeated in last week's Democratic primary. The other...

I am confident I am the best candidate because O’Boyle’s campaign is mostly about simply defeating Deborah Sutherland, and if Bay’s present School Board President becomes mayor, it would be a pretty darn rough on Bay taxpayers, as I can only imagine how easy it would be for the School Board to pretty much get whatever its wants – they’d say jump and the residents would be saying, “how high?” My platform is the most substantial. My vision for Bay Village maps to the true desires of most residents and most business owners; moreover, I’m the only candidate who is...

Multimedia Newsletter: LOBBY FOR COBBY Bruce Cobbeldick For Mayor! Newsletter Friends Of Bruce Cobbeldick Mayoral Campaign Bay Village, OH - - According to Candidate Bruce Cobbeldick, November 2005 should be one of the most interesting mayoral races Bay Village has ever seen. "Bay is at a crossroads right now, and while some issues seem pretty cut and dried, it's when one spends just a little more time thinking about things - it's when one considers the source and looks at who stands to gain what that or lose what - that the voter has the opportunity to decypher double-talk and...

Cobbeldick Campaign Web Pages "A VOTE FOR BRUCE IS A VOTE FOR BAY!" Elect a Republican With an Independent Mind! Bruce Cobbeldick, Bay Village mayoral candidate (440) 668-0887 What does that mean: "I'm a Conservative first, and a Republican second. I make choices and take stances that map to Conservative Values. I am not eager to be politically expedient. It's my feeling that Party Bosses get people elected, but Pragmatism and Conservatism can rise above (limited) Partisan Thinking. I say do the right thing and worry not about protecting your turf or being the Golden Boy of the Liberal Press!...

As word of Strickland's decision spread through political circles, possible contenders for his spot in Congress began to emerge. Among them are State Reps. Chuck Blasdel, an East Liverpool Republican, and John Boccieri, a Mahoning County Democrat.